Former Indiana sheriff connected to Jamey Noel appears in court
Kenneth Hughbanks, a former Scott County sheriff, appeared in court Tuesday on a felony tax evasion charge, marking his first court appearance since his arrest last week.
A special prosecutor says a connection to Jamey Noel brought his crimes to light.
Hughbanks' initial hearing on the tax evasion charge lasted less than 10 minutes.
He was arrested on April 17, and briefly sat in the same jail he ran back in 2018.
On Tuesday, he appeared before a judge in the Scott County Courthouse for the tax evasion charge, a level six felony that carries a prison sentence of up to two and a half years.
Hughbanks, who also served as a major at the Clark County Sheriff's Office and a jail corrections officer, is the fifth person tied to Noel facing charges stemming from the corruption scandal investigation.
However, Hughbanks' alleged crimes do not fully involve Noel, who is currently serving a 12-year prison sentence for stealing from fire and EMS agencies.
Investigators say Noel paid Hughbanks over $280,000 with jail commissary fund money for questionable consultant services, and those 2018 commissary records are reportedly missing.
"It appears that, that is not part of the tax evasion," the judge noted.
Special prosecutor Ric Hertel said there is probable cause for the charge. An affidavit alleges Hughbanks and his wife, Lyndi, filed false tax returns from 2019 to 2021, did not pay sales tax on personal property they sold, and did not report thousands of dollars in income.
Hughbanks is also accused of stealing over $145,000 from his godmother with dementia, reportedly having power of attorney over her bank accounts.
"I don't think that Kenneth Hughbanks is on anyone's radar. Had it not been for the Jamey Noel investigation brought to the Indiana State Police and then ultimately brought to me," Hertel said.
Jamey Noel is serving a 12-year prison sentence, and auctions of his personal items are underway to help pay for his nearly $3 million restitution.
His wife, Misty Noel, is due back in court next month, with both sides hinting at a likely plea deal.
Their daughter Kasey Noel pleaded guilty, is serving nine months at the Harrison County Detention Center, and is expected to serve half that time.
Brittney Ferree, who shares a child with Noel, struck a deal and was given two years probation. John Miller has filed several motions and appeals but will stand trial in October.
Hughbanks, who is out on a $5,000 bond, will be back in court in June.